Full Dash Removal

Going to start pulling the entire dash out of my 2007 DBSB, wondering if anyone has a write up here or any tips, I couldn't find any.

 

20 Second search shows

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/step-by-step-complete-dash-disassembly-with-pics.405055/

 

Any questions you have about certain projects ask Google, and it will direct you to Tacoma world in most instances

 

It's not hard. What brings you to the dash removal?

I watched a few different youtube video's... None of them had all the answers to my questions but add them all up and I got through it.

 

A 20 second read would reveal to you that that thread doesn’t show how to remove the whole dash. Lmfao​

 

Evaporator and expansion valve replacement

 

Not realy a how to but the video below gives an idea of how things come apart.
All I can say is if it's your first time take lots of pictures and label everything.
I've done alot of dash jobs although only one Toyota and it was a Tundra, they aren't bad once you figure out how things come apart.

https://youtu.be/3dqoithYqm8

 

Also, it is 1000% worth picking up a set of plastic trim pry tools/spudgers. You CAN get by with screwdrivers and putty knives but the $8.99 is WELL spent.

 

Yeah I’ve got all that stuff.

 

This is super useful. Thanks.

 

I changed the complete interiors between my old and current Gen 1 trucks, so I got really familiar with the instrument panels on that series.

I haven't dug deep into my Gen 2, but as it's a Toyota it's gonna be similar. My advice:

1. Don't rush it (if you don't have to). Take the time to think about what you're doing
2. Take lots of digital photos. You'll be surprised how often you refer to them when you look at connectors, ductwork, specific fasteners, cable routing, and all kinds of things as the instrument panel goes back in.
3. Use a slotter box to organize fasteners. I use a multi-compartment Plano box, and I write on the box with a Sharpie what each slot contains. Helps organize lots of similar little screws.
4. This is a good time of year for it -- all the plastics are going to be way over the temperatures where they become brittle.

 

yup like mentioned take your time take pictures. use one of those boxes and use a label maker. there are like about 22 connections that need to be taken out and put back in.
I did my evap core and valve. took me a day not counting all the swearing and the breaks(which came out to 2 days)

* make sure you do the doors on the ac correctly if not you will have your feet vents open with the regular vents. (I have that on mine too lazy to take apart again. )

 

Spent about 30 minutes removing the dash. Tomorrow after work I’ll tackle the actual evaporator and expansion valve swap.

I’m going to try leaving the harness on the crash bar so it’s less to remember where it goes.

 

I think you can, just note everything you unplug and make sure it's all plugged back in. Nothing like getting it all back together and realizing you left something unplugged deep in the dash , I've been there

 

The thing that’s annoying is that there are a lot of unused harness plugs behind the dash. So knowing which ones are used and which ones aren’t is frustrating. Should’ve gotten a TRD OR and then all of them would be used.

 

Yea alot of the time you can tell the unused ones as they will have dust accumulated in them and won't have a mating connector nearby.
Toyota is quite a bit more complex to remove the dash than most domestic trucks as it all has to be disassembled, most of the Ford's, and Dodge's I've done you basically pull the steering column, upper, lower, & side trim, kick panels, and a-pillar covers. Everything connects on the sides and in the center, unbolt the whole thing and lay it on the seat, minimal disassembly required. The gen 3 and gen 4 Ram evaporators can be done in under 3 hrs.

 

This truck is 15 years old living in AZ, it has been rat fucked with dirt and dust. Everything is covered in dust lmao.

 

Looks pretty clean compared to some of the crap I've had to take apart, I like doing dash jobs but not it they are toilets and alot of the time people can't be bothered to clean out their crap before they bring it.

 

I just did this a couple of weeks ago. The video referenced helped but he disconnected a lot of electrical that wasn,t needed to do.

The harness can stay on the crash bar. No need to un plug everything, you find whats needed when it keeps you from removing stuff.

I did find that the top ducts for the defrost were easy to remove with the plenum loosened and in the truck. That made removing and installing it easy while moving around that crash bar.

And for the 3 minutes it takes its worth pulling the front seats so you don't have to contort your back and pay for it the next few days...

I've done worse thats for sure!

 

I removed everything. crash bar and all. its a little harder to work around if you dont. I followed the video.